WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps release the following statement regarding the New Direction Congress’ passage of a responsible Democratic budget (H. Con. Res. 312) by a vote of 212 to 207. 

“In a little over a year the Democratic-led Congress has made remarkable progress in delivering a New Direction for our country.  This is the second year that we’ve been able to pass a responsible budget that corrects previous misguided budgets that were the hallmark of the Bush Administration and the Republican-led Congress.   Our budget protects key investments in our top priorities --such as health care for more uninsured children, veterans’ benefits, homeland security, education, tax relief for struggling families, enhanced energy efficiency and renewable energy – while working within our financial means so we don’t continue to pass the buck to future generations.  Ultimately budgets are about making tough choices to balance our country’s short and long-term needs with our current financial means.  I’m proud of the choices the New Direction Congress has made with this budget.” 

For a detailed summary of the Democratic budget, please visit http://budget.house.gov/analyses/09summary_dem_budget_rev.pdf

A copy of the Congresswoman’s floor statement as prepared for delivery follows:

Statement of Congresswoman Lois Capps on House Concurrent Resolution 312

 The Fiscal Year 2009 House Budget Resolution

March 12, 2008

“Madame Speaker, I rise today in support of the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget resolution.

“I rise in support of this budget because I believe that it truly addresses the needs of all Americans, while restoring fiscal responsibility and accountability and putting America back on the path to budget surpluses.  Democrats have pledged to move the country in a new direction and this budget is one more step in fulfilling that commitment.

“The Democratic budget rejects the President’s harmful cuts, restores critical domestic programs, and better reflects the priorities of all Americans by strengthening our national defense, assisting our nation’s veterans and investing in future generations.

“This budget will help boost our economy at a critical time.  It provides crucial funding for math, science education and research to enhance our nation’s competitive edge.  And at a time of higher energy costs, it invests in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to bring down energy costs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and global warming, and promote new technologies that can create new green collar jobs.

“Our budget also provides tax relief to help struggling families.  But instead of accepting the President’s policy of paying for tax cuts by adding to the deficit and imposing cuts on critical public services, we pay for it.

“And our budget pays for the $50 billion increase in our budget to expand children’s health insurance to cover millions of uninsured children and other important safety net programs, like the Social Services Block Grant and housing aid.

“Finally, the Democratic budget will make America safer.  It increases homeland security funding over the President’s request and rejects his cuts to first responder programs, like COPS and firefighter assistance grants.

“Madame Speaker, this budget is a critical step in a new direction.  Today, this House will pass a budget that truly represents the priorities of the American people.  And it represents a reasonable balance of opportunities and it does so within our means – unlike the Republican proposals.

“It is a worthy statement of our national values, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation.”

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.